[C320-list] FW: Battery charger/inverter

[Bill Culbertson]

Mine are also six years old and I'm replacing this spring as well.  I'm planning to go with Lifeline AGM 4Ds.  Agreed re: pricey but I'm sold on AGM advantages.  I switched from ProMariner to the TruCharge 40 a couple of years ago when my ProMariner started refusing to switch to float mode every now and then.  Love that charger.  I think it helped get some extra years out of my original 4Ds after I ran them through its equalize cycle.  Almost replaced them when I replaced the charger since they wouldn't hold a charge worth beans.  But I thought I'd give the TruCharge a shot at them.  Glad I did.

 -bill
 Harmony #859


----- Original Message ----
From: Karl Mielenhausen _/) <kmielen at iwon.com>
To: C320-List at catalina320.com
Sent: Monday, March 5, 2007 11:43:23 AM
Subject: [C320-list] FW: Battery charger/inverter


Paul,



Bert was right on with his recommendation for a 40 amp charger... you want 10% of your battery bank capacity in Amp-Hrs.

Here is something else to think about...Before you replace your marine, lead/acid 4Ds (which a really a hybrid starting/deep cycle battery, at approx 205 AH), consider switching to golf car batteries (220 AH). Others have suggested going to AGM's but I found that a tad pricy.

Here is a link to some reference material...

http://www.yachtsurvey.com/boat_battery_basics.htm

A true (lead/acid) deep cycle battery can tolerate being discharged 80% whereas the hybrid (lead/acid) batteries should only be discharged 50%. You must be doing something right, however, having gotten 6 years of life on your last pair!! 

Also, four golf car batteries are also easier to handle than the 2 4D's. Of course, you may want to add a starting battery. This will give you the added confidence to run the house bank way down and still be able to start the engine.

There are several of these conversions photographed on the C320IA website...

http://www.catalina320.com/gallery/view_album.php?set_albumName=StartingBattShelf

http://www.catalina320.com/gallery/view_album.php?set_albumName=album86

http://www.catalina320.com/gallery/view_album.php?set_albumName=6-Volt-Batteries-and-Solar-Panel

http://www.catalina320.com/gallery/view_album.php?set_albumName=album31

Good luck and keep us informed of your progress.



Karl Mielenhausen

2000 C320 Hull#690 "Silver Lining"

New Bern, NC

http://pages.suddenlink.net/kmielen/

From: PDCatalina320 at aol.com [mailto: PDCatalina320 at aol.com]

To: c320-list at catalina320.com

Date: Mon, 5 Mar 2007 01:58:55 EST

Subject: [C320-list] Battery charger/inverter



I am about to replace my 2 4D's since they are now 6 years old. I hear it  is also a good time to replace the 25 amp flyback charger.  A  inverter/charger like the xantrex Freedom 10 sounds nice but will my 4 awg wires  to the batteries take the  50 amps charging that the freedom puts  out?  I don't want to pull larger wires. Or is it better to just get the  xantrex truecharge 20  and do the inverter seperate.  Any info will  help.   Thanks                                Paul,    850 Sobrante<BR><BR><BR>**************************************<BR> AOL now offers free email to everyone.  Find out more about what's free from AOL at http://www.aol.com.

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